Aphrodite

Also known as: Cytherea / the Cyprian · Family: Gods · Role: goddess · First appears: Homeric Hymn III · To Pythian Apollo · Part 1

Aphrodite, also called Cytherea and the Cyprian, was born in Cyprus. In the hymn’s account of her arrival there, the Hours welcomed and clothed her, and the gods greeted her, each wishing to take her as his wife. The Homeric Hymn III also names her as a daughter of Zeus.

In the Homeric Hymn V, Zeus caused Aphrodite to desire a mortal man. At many-fountained Ida, she saw Anchises tending cattle, fell in love with him, and appeared before him disguised as a maiden. Anchises was seized with love for her; Aphrodite told him that Hermes had said she would be his wife and bear his children. He lay with her without knowing she was an immortal goddess.

Afterward, Aphrodite told Anchises he would have a son named Aeneas, who would reign among the Trojans, and descendants after him. She warned him to keep their union secret, then departed for windy heaven.

Relationship record

Life events

• Zeus caused Aphrodite to desire love with a mortal man.(Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 1)
  • With: Zeus
  • “But upon Aphrodite herself Zeus cast sweet desire to be joined in love with a mortal man”
• Aphrodite saw Anchises tending cattle and fell in love with him.(Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 1 · 📍 many-fountained Ida)
  • With: Anchises
  • “Therefore, when laughter-loving Aphrodite saw him, she loved him, and terribly desire seized her in her heart.”
• Aphrodite appeared before Anchises disguised as a maiden.(Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 1 · 📍 many-fountained Ida)
  • With: Anchises
  • “And Aphrodite, the daughter of Zeus stood before him, being like a pure maiden in height and mien”
• Anchises was seized with love for Aphrodite.(Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 1)
  • With: Anchises
  • “And Anchises was seized with love”
• Aphrodite told Anchises that Hermes had said she would be his wife and bear his children.(Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 1)
  • With: Anchises
  • “And he said that I should be called the wedded wife of Anchises, and should bear you goodly children.”
• Anchises lay with Aphrodite, not knowing she was an immortal goddess.(Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 2)
  • With: Anchises
  • “Then by the will of the gods and destiny he lay with her, a mortal man with an immortal goddess, not clearly knowing what he did.”
• Aphrodite revealed that Anchises would have a son named Aeneas who would reign among the Trojans.(Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 2)
  • With: Anchises Aeneas
  • “You need fear no harm from me nor from the other blessed ones, for you are dear to the gods: and you shall have a dear son who shall reign among the Trojans, and children’s children after him, springing up continually. His name shall be Aeneas”
• Aphrodite told Anchises to keep their union secret and then departed.(Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 2 · 📍 windy heaven)
  • With: Anchises Aeneas
  • “Now I have told you all. Take heed: refrain and name me not, but have regard to the anger of the gods.’ When the goddess had so spoken, she soared up to windy heaven.”
• Aphrodite arrived in Cyprus, where the Hours welcomed and clothed her.(Homeric Hymn VI · To Aphrodite · 📍 Cyprus)
  • With: Hours
  • “There the moist breath of the western wind wafted her over the waves of the loud-moaning sea in soft foam, and there the gold-filleted Hours welcomed her joyously. They clothed her with heavenly garments:”
• The gods welcomed Aphrodite and each wished to take her as his wife.(Homeric Hymn VI · To Aphrodite)
  • With: gods
  • “And when they had fully decked her, they brought her to the gods, who welcomed her when they saw her, giving her their hands. Each one of them prayed that he might lead her home to be his wedded wife”
• Aphrodite was born in Cyprus.(Homeric Hymn X · To Aphrodite · 📍 Cyprus)
  • “Of Cytherea, born in Cyprus”

Homeric Hymn III · To Pythian Apollo · Part 1

• parent: Zeus “Meanwhile the rich-tressed Graces and cheerful Seasons dance with Harmonia and Hebe and Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus, holding each other by the wrist.”

Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 1

• courtship with Anchises “Therefore, when laughter-loving Aphrodite saw him, she loved him, and terribly desire seized her in her heart.”

Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 2

• courtship with Anchises “Then by the will of the gods and destiny he lay with her, a mortal man with an immortal goddess, not clearly knowing what he did.”
• child: Aeneas “you shall have a dear son who shall reign among the Trojans, and children’s children after him, springing up continually. His name shall be Aeneas”
• parent: Zeus “Then Aphrodite the daughter of Zeus answered him:”

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Extracted from the original text of Hesiod and Homerica. Made with Rho MD.